Zoology and wildlife conservation

A germline-specific class of small RNAs binds mammalian Piwi proteins

Article Abstract:

The biochemical function of Piwi proteins, substances involved in germline-specific events such as germline stem cell maintenance and meiosis, and the nature of their small RNA guides are yet to be uncovered by scientists. A study performed on Piwi proteins, a subfamily of Argonaute proteins, demonstrates that MIWI, a murine Piwi protein binds a previously uncharacterized class of approximately 29-30-nucleotide RNAs that are highly abundant in testes.

Light shed on battle against HIV

Article Abstract:

Human body is not well versed to defend itself against the virus that causes AIDS, mainly because HIV triggers a natural mechanism that impairs the killer T cells responsible for fighting virus, which eventually become exhausted. The trials scientists are conducting to explore the possibility of giving boost to these T cells in order to make them more efficient in fighting AIDS are discussed.